I'm looking for lever action drawings/blueprints, and not just because of that Gunsmoke-show on the discovery channel.
I do not claim to be a gunsmith (yet), but I would certainly like to be.
As for the blueprints, they will go to my final school project, making a lever action see-through (using various plastics, with different colors and opacity) to show the working internals.
I do not intend to shoot this thing or use it any other way than being rather nice-looking on the wall. It's just for education.
And a SolidWorks/AutoCAD simulation doesn't just cut it....

Doubt you will find legal copies of lever action blueprints. All present manufacturers consider these proprietary and will sue to enforce their distribution and use. Possible an older rifle or one from a company ouot of business.

I understand that you want one with diemensions shown, to make it easier to use, but that is exactly what the companies do not want out there. If you do find a blueprint copy somewhere, read the ledgen block closely (usually on the lower right or left corner). It expresses the rights the manufacturer alledges in that drawing.

There are a lot of sources for NON_DIMENSIONAL drawing, if that is helpful.

Unless you are doing a rifle under 25 years old (that might have unexpired patents thereon), there is nothing to stop you from getting a rifle and making your own drawings and mic the diemensions (aka reverse engingeering).

As for the exploded diagrams... I've got plenty (about 400 GB ) data on those things; I would indeed like drawings with the dimensions shown. It should be possible, because there's this GunSmoke show on the Discovery channel that made their very own lever-action rifle based on "real easy to find" drawings (of a 1866 Yellow Boy).... don't know if it's easy when you don't got a guy on the inside of Marlin or Winchester, but so far no luck.
So unless a kind soul comes along pointing me in the right direction, I'll be buying a lever action rifle in the next year (which aren't very cheap here in Europe - 3000 euro and up for a descent one that has been used and available without too many paperwork) and then making drawings for myself..

If that would be the case, would it be okay to copy such a rifle? Keeping in mind that it will NOT fire and it being just for educational purposes, that is.
If it is ok, I'll document the thing rather vigorously with a camera, and as for putting the drawings on the forum, I'll have to check with the original manufacturer..

As for the exploded diagrams... I've got plenty (about 400 GB ) data on those things; I would indeed like drawings with the dimensions shown. It should be possible, because there's this GunSmoke show on the Discovery channel that made their very own lever-action rifle based on "real easy to find" drawings (of a 1866 Yellow Boy).... don't know if it's easy when you don't got a guy on the inside of Marlin or Winchester, but so far no luck.
So unless a kind soul comes along pointing me in the right direction, I'll be buying a lever action rifle in the next year (which aren't very cheap here in Europe - 3000 euro and up for a descent one that has been used and available without too many paperwork) and then making drawings for myself..

If that would be the case, would it be okay to copy such a rifle? Keeping in mind that it will NOT fire and it being just for educational purposes, that is.
If it is ok, I'll document the thing rather vigorously with a camera, and as for putting the drawings on the forum, I'll have to check with the original manufacturer..

3000 euro´s? What the heck are you going to buy?
My new marlin set me back just under 800 euro´s, and my Winchester 1894 set me back about 200 euro´s. If you are going to buy a rifle for the sole intent on using it to get the proper dimensions, you really don´t need to by an antique rarity. If all else fails, see if you can´t borrow one at a local gunshop, needless to say, you will propably have to do all the measurements in the gunshop. If you don´t know how to, ask one of the employees to help you take the rifle apart and put it back together.
Where in Europe are you located? Myself, I´m from Sweden. If you are indeed a swede too, we could propably work something out. But My guess based on the letters in your sig, you are from Netherlands, Dutch, Holland?
Am I right?

Yep, the Netherlands it is - the people in it are Dutch
We have a very strict government policy here that prohibits a vast majority of the population from having contact with firearms. Needless to say, a great portion of those people with no understanding of firearms are rather afraid of guns - fear of the unknown- , and so the circle closes as the government doesn't feel the need to be more easy on the subject.
As I do have a firearm registered (5 guns is max), I really have a dislike of the amount of paperwork that comes with the purchase of a new gun. However, older guns (black powder mainly, and before 1940) may be bought without all that paperwork, AND still be legal.
So basically, yes a lever action can indeed be acquired for less than 500 euro (if you really pay attention to every website), but then I'd rather buy a working one that has been decommissioned (don't know what the English word for it is, but the basic description of that here, is that the barrel has been filled with lead and the gun is in fact unable to fire).
Or of course an antique, which will incidentally look great on the wall as well..

I see. Well, a plugged and disabled firearm may very well be the answer for you then, but if I´m not all together wrong, the whole EU firearms-law says that only welding the barrel shut is no longer legal. The whole action has to be non functional since a few years back. So, that may be a dud as well. Oh, by the way, we have really strict laws about getting a firearm here in Sweden as well, and our limit is five peices as well. I currently have three levers and an old winchester semiauto shotgun, the wonderful model 59.

Back on topic...
Getting a blueprint might prove darn near impossible, at least with dimensions for the parts on it.
I still think the best bet is to go talk to a gunshop, and ask if they may help you out with an object that you can study. If you tell them what the project is, I am sure there is someone able to help.

Nah, it´s not too bad, just makes you choose more carefully!
No, seriously, it´s a b'tch! Although, the 5 pieces are for hunting, if I am an active competitionshooter, then I´d be able to have 10 more, depending on what types and how I store them. But the rules for the sports-shooters are crazy. Have to attend a high amount of competitions each year to get a licence, but how would I attend competitions without a gun to shoot?
Well, interesting as it may be, this was not the topic.
Anyone else got some tips for this poor fella?

I guess not, but I thank you guys anyway.
I've since bought two winchester lever actions, of which I was told that one of em was owned by Buffalo Bill in his shows. Apparently only 13 of em were made, and some other details were told to me at the sale.

At least. If I'm gullable enough to believe such a thing, no questions asked.
I'm gonna go ask questions later on that. Firstly, just let is sit properly in my safe for a few months

If it is a genuine one, expect me to put it up for sale in the US. More ppl there with money and love for guns than in this country.....

This is from the Brownells Gunsmith Kinks book. Because you live in Europe perhaps we will be able to consider this as part of a book review.
There are no dimensions but this easily cured with a dial caliper and a little thinking.

I don't know if those drawings are to scale. You can do an internet search for "Screen Calipers" and download the program. Screen calipers are great for converting images. You will need to have a known dimension though.

I have other cutaway drawings but this is the "cleanest."
Allright, I am not very smart!
With your caliper program I can resize the drawing on my picture program until the easy to match dimensions are correct. Little slow this evening!

As for the "buffalo bill gun", it's not a commemorative one, because for one of those, I'd need a permit, and the law being the law and all, I kinda like being legit.
Original black powder guns/rifles/muskets that are pre-1945 are legal here, and it seems to me that the commemorative one was made after that date.
Also:
-the tube is shorter than the barrel
-the barrel is smooth on the inside (the man selling it to me said it was used for shooting rocksalt at balloons in the shows, as not to hurt the audience and having the advantage of a bigger spread--apparently something desirable when on horseback)
-halfway down the barrel on the outside, there are two "rings" turned into it, and after that (towards the muzzle) the barrel is round (instead of octagonal)

All in all, a rather odd thing. Looks great though.

I have a lot to do this weekend, but I'll try fitting in a 5 minute gap where I make a picture, upload it.